The defense symbiosis of beewolves

Insects live in symbioses with microorganisms that provide them with nutrients, for example, or help them defend themselves against enemies. A fascinating example of a defense symbiosis are the beewolves, a genus from the digger wasp family, and their symbiotic bacteria. The bacteria produce antibiotics for the beewolves, which they use to protect the larvae in their brood cavities from pathogens in the soil. Find out more about this symbiosis, which has existed for 68 million years!